The Athens Stock Exchange recently suspended trading shares of the Bank of Cyprus following a request made by the bank, also known as Bank of Cyprus Public Co. Ltd.

The suspension was enacted to ensure smooth operation of the market, in light of an arrangement between the Bank of Cyprus Public Co., its shareholders and the Bank of Cyprus Holdings Public Limited Company (BOC Holdings). The suspension was requested by Bank of Cyprus Public Co. on Jan. 10.

Off-exchange transfers between ATHEX and the Cyprus Stock Exchange also will not be executed, nor will transfers between operators or transfers from operators to and from special investor accounts. OTC transactions also will not be allowed except as required to settle stock exchange transactions initiated on or before Jan. 9.